Chennai

Not even one bag of cement will be used in the restoration of the Grade-I heritage structure that spans nearly 80,000 sq ft. The repairs would be done using a centuries old construction technique, which involves the use of Madras Terrace (for roof) and ‘Theervai’ (a mixture of egg, jaggery and limestone paste) for wall interior and exterior. 

A detailed project report has been sent to the government to restore the building which suffered a from damages following a minor fire and roof collapse in 2014 in addition to the damage sustained in Kalas Mahal fire of 2012 which claimed a fireman’s life. 

“An estimate for Rs 39 crore has been sent to the government. We will float tenders to source the unique raw materials from different parts of south India as soon as the government sanctions the project,” senior PWD sources revealed to DT Next.

Madras Terrace is a three layered one-foot thick roof constructed using limestone as binder and two layers of unique bricks atop which a sheet of tiles is placed to withstand coastal weather, an engineer in the know of things explained.

The crumbled wooden beams in the roof, 50% of which collapsed in 2014, would be replaced with corrosion-resistant Interior Steel Medium Beam (ISMB) section and 1.5 feet thick metal slabs (each 4inch width and 6inch height) to last long. 

A mixture of egg, jaggery and limestone paste called ‘Theervai’ would be plastered on the interior and exterior wall to give it glossy finish. 

Lime mortar would be injected in to the wall through small holes drilled in to wall (grouting process). Also, glossy Aathangudi tiles, which can be found in Padmanbhapuram Palace near Kanyakumari, would be used for the floor. 

PWD engineers have also planned to treat the foundation by digging it up to a metre. “Sourcing the raw material used in such heritage structures is the most difficult job of the restoration process. Hence the high cost,” a senior PWD officer reasoned, claiming that they would use the expertise gained from Kalas Mahal restoration, which consumed around 4 years, instead of engaging consultants who, eventually, were found to be of little use. 

MONUMENT MATTERS 

• Humayun Mahal was built along with Kalas Mahal by the eighth Nawab of Carnatic, Muhammad Ali Wallajah (1749-1795) in 1768.
• The two Mahals jointly form the Chepauk Palace.
• A grade-I heritage structure of Indo-Saracenic style, both Mahals were destroyed in two separate fire accidents (Major fire in 2012 and a minor fire in 2014). 
• Rs 39 crore is estimated restoration cost.
• Theervai is a mixture of egg, jaggery and limestone used (like primer) to plaster wall interior and exterior.
• Aathangudi produces a special light weight variant of tiles used for floors.
• Madras Terrace is a three-layered one-feet thick construction used for roof.

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